Alec Baldwin court appearance set for next month
Actor Alec Baldwin‘s first court date following an involuntary manslaughter charge has been set for next month.
Baldwin is potentially looking at facing 18 months to three years behind bars after the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins onset of Rust in 2021, and will appear before a New Mexico court on February 1st, 2024.
Court papers said Baldwin was entitled to a “speedy” disposition in order to minimise the “public vilification” such a high-profile case would involve.
Baldwin’s case was previously dropped after the initial FBI investigation left the gun broken. Baldwin has always maintained he pulled back the hammer but not the trigger when the gun fired and was unaware the weapon was loaded.
However, forensic experts found that after reconstructing the gun, the trigger would need to be pulled to fire, which casts doubt on Baldwin’s defence.
As one report explains: “Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.”
Baldwin’s attorney has previously declared: “We look forward to our day in court,” and it’s now clear his team are hoping the trial is quick.
The shooting took place in October 2021 when Baldwin pointed a gun at Hutchins, the film’s cinematographer. When the gun went off, Hutchins was killed, and the director, Joel Souza, was wounded.
Baldwin has insisted he pulled back the hammer, but not the trigger, when the gun fired and claims he did not know the weapon was loaded.
This is a developing story.
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